Fire Decline Options on Three Players

CHICAGO, Ill. (Dec. 3, 2012) – The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced Monday that the club has declined options on midfielder Corben Bone, defender Gonzalo Segares and goalkeeper Jay Nolly.

Segares was the Fire’s third round selection (35th overall) in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft. The Costa Rican international has played 178 games over eight seasons for the Men in Red, scoring 11 goals and adding 13 assists. The 2007 Chicago Fire Defender of the Year, Segares has made 13 postseason appearances for the Fire, scoring the insurance goal in the second leg of a 3-0 win over the New England Revolution Nov. 6, 2008.

Bone was the Fire’s first round selection (13th overall) in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft. The Plano, Texas native made 17 appearances in three seasons with the Men in Red. Bone’s lone assist in a Fire shirt came May 14, 2011 when he assisted on Orr Barouch’s game-tying goal in a 2-2 draw at Toronto FC. In 2012, Bone started all 10 of the Fire’s Reserve League matches and score one goal and tallied two assists across 897 minutes.

Nolly was acquired by the Fire on Dec. 2, 2011 in a trade with Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The veteran ‘keeper did not appear in a first team match for the Fire but made six appearances in MLS Reserve League play. The Littleton, Colo. native started and played the first half of the Fire’s 1-0 loss to English Premier League side Aston Villa July 21.

Bone, Segares and Nolly are now eligible for the MLS Re-Entry Process. The first round of the MLS Re-Entry Draft is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 7 with the second round taking place the following Friday, Dec. 14.

Both Stage One and Stage Two drafts will be conducted in the same order as the traditional Waiver Draft.

Clubs must exercise the option for, or extend a Bona Fide Offer to, all players selected in Stage 1. Players that were out of contract may either accept or reject the Bona Fide Offer. Should a player reject the offer, the drafting club will hold the right of first refusal for that player in MLS. Players with option years left on their contract will automatically be added to the drafting club’s roster.